Newcomer Passing on some advice about tourist SIM cards/chips

[LyellLanatone]

Movistar is awful. It's easy to get a prepaid account but how do you put money in it ? The official movistar stores tell you to go to a kiosko with no further advice. The kioskos tell you to use the app. The app won't let you load money into it without a DNI and Argentine card so as a tourist you get caught in a death loop

The answer is you need to find the rare kioskos that have the self serve machines that look like ATMs. You put your phone number in and then insert cash to recharge. There's one right at the start of Florida street near Plaza San Martin but as a tourist it's very hard to know this and I have personally known several tourists who just gave up on their pre paid accounts out of frustration

 

[Vero]

Movistar is awful. It's easy to get a prepaid account but how do you put money in it ? The official movistar stores tell you to go to a kiosko with no further advice. The kioskos tell you to use the app. The app won't let you load money into it without a DNI and Argentine card so as a tourist you get caught in a death loop

The answer is you need to find the rare kioskos that have the self serve machines that look like ATMs. You put your phone number in and then insert cash to recharge. There's one right at the start of Florida street near Plaza San Martin but as a tourist it's very hard to know this and I have personally known several tourists who just gave up on their pre paid accounts out of frustration

Wow I did not know it is this difficult. You used to be able to recharge in most kioskos. I didn't know you couldn't do this anymore.

 

[Melibaires]

Movistar is awful. It's easy to get a prepaid account but how do you put money in it ? The official movistar stores tell you to go to a kiosko with no further advice. The kioskos tell you to use the app. The app won't let you load money into it without a DNI and Argentine card so as a tourist you get caught in a death loop

The answer is you need to find the rare kioskos that have the self serve machines that look like ATMs. You put your phone number in and then insert cash to recharge. There's one right at the start of Florida street near Plaza San Martin but as a tourist it's very hard to know this and I have personally known several tourists who just gave up on their pre paid accounts out of frustration

Most Open 25 kioscos have those self-serve machines where you can top up your phone by simply entering your phone number and inserting cash. You can also recharge your SUBE card there. Some kioscos even offer recharges through Mercado Pago, just ask or check if they have a sign indicating they provide that service. Another option is lottery agencies, where they usually add credit to phones from all carriers.

These are the self-serve machines:

 

[Ron]

Anyone with the Mercado Pago app can also add credit. The locals are usually very friendly, so you could ask someone to top up for you and then give them the cash for the amount you want to add. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, as most people here use Mercado Pago.

 

[Kira]

You can see the locations of Open 25 kioscos on Google, for example, in Palermo. You really spot them everywhere, and sometimes there are even two on the same block.

Google Search

 

[LyellLanatone]

You can see the locations of Open 25 kioscos on Google, for example, in Palermo. You really spot them everywhere, and sometimes there are even two on the same block.

Google Search

View attachment 8622

1. Not every "open 25" has the machines, in fact less than half of them do, so this list is pretty useless

2. The main users of a "quick and easy" pre paid phone card are tourists new to the country who have no idea what an "open 25" is, and will get no help from the lazy, unmotivated and completely useless Movistar staff

 

[Kira]

Many kioscos in tourist areas have staff ready to help, and the self-service machines are designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate.
So, while not all Open 25 kioscos have self-service machines, you're more likely to find them in areas like Palermo. Plus, the staff at these kioscos are generally helpful, even with tourists, when it comes to using these services. This isn’t just an issue with Movistar, it’s the same for all the major providers like Movistar, Claro, and Personal. Honestly, I don’t think it’s that complicated. And just so you know, Open 25 is a popular kiosco chain here in Argentina that’s open 24/7, selling snacks, drinks, cigarettes, and more.

 

[LyellLanatone]

Many kioscos in tourist areas have staff ready to help

This isnt my experience at all, after helping many tourists my guess would be less than 10 % of kiosko staff are not complete assholes who are extremely bitter towards "rich foreigners" as their own cost of living skyrockets. Times this by a million if the foreigner doesn't speak spanish.

But I respect your opinion and if this isnt your experience I am happy for you

 

[Vero]

This isnt my experience at all, after helping many tourists my guess would be less than 10 % of kiosko staff are not complete assholes who are extremely bitter towards "rich foreigners" as their own cost of living skyrockets. Times this by a million if the foreigner doesn't speak spanish.

But I respect your opinion and if this isnt your experience I am happy for you

This is sad to hear your experience. When my friends from America or Europe come to BA they don't have any problems refilling their SIM cards. Maybe if you just have it in Google Translate I am sure they will be happy to help. No one I know has had problems. Could it be your attitude with them?

 

[Betsy Ross]

Most Open 25 kioscos have those self-serve machines where you can top up your phone by simply entering your phone number and inserting cash. You can also recharge your SUBE card there. Some kioscos even offer recharges through Mercado Pago, just ask or check if they have a sign indicating they provide that service. Another option is lottery agencies, where they usually add credit to phones from all carriers.

These are the self-serve machines:

View attachment 8620

Yes these are all over the city. There should be many options to refill your credit. I routinely have friends and family that come and they didn't have any problems. Most do not speak Spanish and did not report any hostility.

Many kioscos in tourist areas have staff ready to help, and the self-service machines are designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate.
So, while not all Open 25 kioscos have self-service machines, you're more likely to find them in areas like Palermo. Plus, the staff at these kioscos are generally helpful, even with tourists, when it comes to using these services. This isn’t just an issue with Movistar, it’s the same for all the major providers like Movistar, Claro, and Personal. Honestly, I don’t think it’s that complicated. And just so you know, Open 25 is a popular kiosco chain here in Argentina that’s open 24/7, selling snacks, drinks, cigarettes, and more.

View attachment 8623

Yes this isn't rocket science. Or just ask any local that has Mercado Pago and they will probably easily help you refill and you can give them the cash.

Anyone with the Mercado Pago app can also add credit. The locals are usually very friendly, so you could ask someone to top up for you and then give them the cash for the amount you want to add. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, as most people here use Mercado Pago.

I didn't see this. Ron is right. Every local uses Mercado Pago. This isn't difficult.

 

[LyellLanatone]

Yes this isn't rocket science. Or just ask any local that has Mercado Pago and they will probably easily help you refill and you can give them the cash.


I didn't see this. Ron is right. Every local uses Mercado Pago. This isn't difficult.

Yah... the answer is right there "every local uses Mercado Pago." This thread is about tourists who have no idea what Mercado Pago is or how impossible it is to use for non Argentine citizens.

Honestly if anyone here can find a fresh off the plane tourist who buys a pre paid sim and starts using it "easily and with no problems" I will give you $1000 USD. But you can't and you won't. Because you are privileged using international phones or have DNIs and Argie cards and have no idea of the real situation

 

[Larry]

Yah... the answer is right there "every local uses Mercado Pago." This thread is about tourists who have no idea what Mercado Pago is or how impossible it is to use for non Argentine citizens.

Honestly if anyone here can find a fresh off the plane tourist who buys a pre paid sim and starts using it "easily and with no problems" I will give you $1000 USD. But you can't and you won't. Because you are privileged using international phones or have DNIs and Argie cards and have no idea of the real situation

Going to have to agree with the others and disagree with you on this one. Any tourist that is coming to BA is either staying in a hotel or renting an apartment. Any hotel will gladly refill credits using Mercado Pago. Same for airbnb owner that would happily do this. I think you are making more about this than is necessary @LyellLanatone.

Their point about everyone using Mercado Pago is that anyone will easily do this for a tourist. When my friends come to BA they ask their hotel, airbnb host or me.

 

[Avocado]

This isnt my experience at all, after helping many tourists my guess would be less than 10 % of kiosko staff are not complete assholes who are extremely bitter towards "rich foreigners" as their own cost of living skyrockets. Times this by a million if the foreigner doesn't speak spanish.

But I respect your opinion and if this isnt your experience I am happy for you

You have bad attitude. That is probably reflected in your experiences with locals. Never heard of anyone refilling their mobile phone. If you are having problems with this simple task you probably have many other problems. For you to say 90% of employees at stores are assholes is surprising. Maybe the problem is you.

Going to have to agree with the others and disagree with you on this one. Any tourist that is coming to BA is either staying in a hotel or renting an apartment. Any hotel will gladly refill credits using Mercado Pago. Same for airbnb owner that would happily do this. I think you are making more about this than is necessary @LyellLanatone.

Their point about everyone using Mercado Pago is that anyone will easily do this for a tourist. When my friends come to BA they ask their hotel, airbnb host or me.

YES!! Any hotel desk or rental apartment owner will easily help you with this. Or just asking someone nice on the street. Anyone will do this if you ask nicely.

 

[Wally]

Yah... the answer is right there "every local uses Mercado Pago." This thread is about tourists who have no idea what Mercado Pago is or how impossible it is to use for non Argentine citizens.

Honestly if anyone here can find a fresh off the plane tourist who buys a pre paid sim and starts using it "easily and with no problems" I will give you $1000 USD. But you can't and you won't. Because you are privileged using international phones or have DNIs and Argie cards and have no idea of the real situation

Their point is that all the locals use MP and you can easily ask someone. Surprised you are having so difficult of a time refilling this. I think it is good you posted about it to highlight it and people can see just how easy it is to refill it. The others are right that any hotel desk clerk or Airbnb host will help you with this.

 

[LyellLanatone]

"Just ask someone nice on the street" ... LMAO Again this thread is about tourists who don't even speak spanish.

Great advice, it should be Argentina's new advertising slogan "Come to Argentina. Just ask someone nice on the street."

Anyway my challenge stands. Find a tourist fresh off a plane who doesn't speak spanish and can obtain a pre paid sim and charge it "easily and simply" 1000 USD is yours

 

[Uncle Wong]

"Just ask someone nice on the street" ... LMAO Again this thread is about tourists who don't even speak spanish.

Great advice, it should be Argentina's new advertising slogan "Come to Argentina. Just ask someone nice on the street."

Anyway my challenge stands. Find a tourist fresh off a plane who doesn't speak spanish and can obtain a pre paid sim and charge it "easily and simply" 1000 USD is yours

I speak some Spanish but I didn't think it was difficult. I did ask my Airbnb host and they helped me refill it and they just added it on to my Airbnb bill.

@LyellLanatone are you renting an apartment from someone? Can't you ask that owner? I think sometimes people can get frustrated if you don't speak Spanish. I think my Spanish is decent but sometimes people would get frustrated. I was surprised more people didn't speak English but I don't expect them to.

 

[JonJLA]

"Just ask someone nice on the street" ... LMAO Again this thread is about tourists who don't even speak spanish.

Great advice, it should be Argentina's new advertising slogan "Come to Argentina. Just ask someone nice on the street."

Anyway my challenge stands. Find a tourist fresh off a plane who doesn't speak spanish and can obtain a pre paid sim and charge it "easily and simply" 1000 USD is yours

I do think that getting the pre-paid SIM can be challenging because not all stores do it. But once you have it, I don't think it is difficult to refill. Well traveled tourists would be able to do it as they will have researched it ahead of time online. But people that aren't too familiar with traveling and don't know where to go or don't speak Spanish will get confused.

 

[Johnny]

Do people not have service from their providers from USA? I have TMobile and it works great in BA and I had free roaming. Do you have to have a local number to use Rappi or anything else?

 

[daveholman]

Do people not have service from their providers from USA? I have TMobile and it works great in BA and I had free roaming. Do you have to have a local number to use Rappi or anything else?

Do you have free roaming phone calls? I was told by T-Mobile I only have free text/data, and calls are $0.25/minute

 

[Jenn]

Do you have free roaming phone calls? I was told by T-Mobile I only have free text/data, and calls are $0.25/minute

I have TMobile and get free roaming on text/data and it is very fast. They don't like if you're gone more than 6 months to 12 months on it. But I got a warning that I had to at least visit the USA which did the trick. I think the calls are 25 cents a minute but I don't use it for calls. I use a Skype phone number hooked on wifi to call. It is very cheap that way.